title: Interplay of advances between theory, research, and application in treatment interventions aimed at behavior problem children and adolescents.
abstract: This article examines the important role that the interplay between theory, research, and application has in fostering breakthroughs in the treatment of clinical problems. This issue is presented in the context of an ongoing program of psychotherapy research that targets for intervention Hispanic behavior problem youth and their families. Findings and breakthroughs in structural family therapy, the measurement of family and child psychodynamic functioning, the development of culturally appropriate interventions, the role of attrition as a measure of outcome, and the investigation of theoretically postulated mechanisms in behavior change are discussed. Recommendations for future research directions are made.
authors.affiliation: Spanish Family Guidance Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33136.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szapocznik
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kurtines
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Santisteban
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Rio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*